Abstract: An optical and electronic integrated switch includes a network processor that controls the functions of the packet switch, a plurality of optical transceivers having photoelectric conversion functions, and a plurality of optical switches. The optical switches include different types of optical core switch and a plurality of optical-path selection switches. The optical transceivers provided near the processor have a regenerative relay function that regenerates optical signals and turns back the optical signals, and perform optical communication with a communication counterpart via the optical switches. In the optical communication, optical switches of the different types can cooperate to set paths for optical cut-through in which path selection is performed such that inputted optical signals are outputted without the intervention of the processor. This optical cut-through can be effectively performed without imposing a signal processing burden that consumes electric power on the processor.

Abstract: An optical transmission system including an optical transmission device and an optical reception device that receives, via an optical transmission line, a signal transmitted from the optical transmission device, the optical transmission system including a transmission-mode selection unit that selects transmission mode information in descending order of priority out of transmission mode information, which is combinations of a plurality of parameters concerning transmission performance, the transmission mode information being a plurality of kinds of the transmission mode information common to the transmission performance of the optical transmission device and the optical reception device, a signal transmission unit that transmits, to the optical reception device, a signal modulated based on the selected transmission mode information, and a signal reception unit that receives the signal and modulates the received signal based on the transmission mode information selected by the transmission-mode selection unit.

Abstract: A photonics-electronics convergence switch with which, even if an optical network system is built by combining a plurality of packet switches, the amount of processing in the packet switches does not increase, the optical network system operates with low electric power consumption, and this enables wide-range optical communication between the nodes of a communication origin and of a communication partner, includes a network processor that is an electronic circuit configured to control the functions of the packet switch, a plurality of optical transmitter-receivers having photoelectric conversion functions, and a plurality of optical switches.

Abstract: Alight scanning apparatus according to the present invention includes a deflecting unit configured to deflect a light flux to scan a scanned surface in a main scanning direction, and an imaging optical system configured to guide the light flux deflected by the deflecting unit to the scanned surface and to have different partial magnifications in the main scanning direction between an on-axis image height and an outermost off-axis image height. A ratio of a reflectivity at a first outermost off-axis deflection point on one side with respect to an on-axis deflection point on a deflecting surface of the deflecting unit to that at the on-axis deflection point, and a ratio of the reflectivity at a second outermost off-axis deflection point on the other side with respect to the on-axis deflection point on the deflecting surface to that at the on-axis deflection point are each appropriately set.

Abstract: Alight scanning apparatus according to the present invention includes a deflecting unit configured to deflect a light flux to scan a scanned surface in a main scanning direction, and an imaging optical system configured to guide the light flux deflected by the deflecting unit to the scanned surface and to have different partial magnifications in the main scanning direction between an on-axis image height and an outermost off-axis image height. A ratio of a reflectivity at a first outermost off-axis deflection point on one side with respect to an on-axis deflection point on a deflecting surface of the deflecting unit to that at the on-axis deflection point, and a ratio of the reflectivity at a second outermost off-axis deflection point on the other side with respect to the on-axis deflection point on the deflecting surface to that at the on-axis deflection point are each appropriately set.

Abstract: Provided is an optical element in which a metal layer with good adhesion is formed on a resin substrate. An optical element includes: a resin substrate; and a stacked body including a metal oxide layer provided on the resin substrate and a metal layer provided on the metal oxide layer. The metal oxide layer is a lanthanum oxide of ternary or more.

Abstract: In order to provide a polygon mirror which can reduce a light amount difference among respective image heights on a scanned surface with suppressing an increase in size in a light scanning apparatus, the polygon mirror according to the present invention includes a plurality of rectangular reflecting surfaces in which the following condition is satisfied: 0.02<|1?B/A|<0.10 where A represents a reflectivity at a center of the reflecting surface with respect to a light flux which is incident at a predetermined incident angle, and B represents the reflectivity at a predetermined point between the center and an end in the longitudinal direction of the reflecting surface with respect to the light flux which is incident at the predetermined incident angle.

Abstract: An optical component includes a base and a multilayer film including a first layer group located on the base and a second layer group located between the first layer group and the base. The second layer group includes a first dielectric layer and a second dielectric layer alternately stacked, the first layer group includes a third dielectric layer and a fourth dielectric layer alternately stacked. The first dielectric layer has a higher refractive index than the second dielectric layer, and the third dielectric layer has a higher refractive index than the fourth dielectric layer.

Abstract: Provided are a film-forming apparatus and a film-forming method capable of preventing complication of an apparatus mechanism in formation of a thin film of multiple materials by sputtering to simplify the apparatus mechanism and preventing an increase in an apparatus cost. The film-forming apparatus includes a vacuum chamber, a substrate holder for holding a substrate, cathode mechanisms for supporting targets respectively so that the targets can be opposed to the substrate in the vacuum chamber, and shutters movable forward and backward individually between the targets made of different materials and the substrate to block or pass film-forming particles generated from the targets. At least one of the shutters is formed of a target material different from those for the targets so that the at least one of the shutters is configured as a shutter that also functions as a target.

Abstract: Provided are a film-forming apparatus and a film-forming method capable of preventing complication of an apparatus mechanism in formation of a thin film of multiple materials by sputtering to simplify the apparatus mechanism and preventing an increase in an apparatus cost. The film-forming apparatus includes a vacuum chamber, a substrate holder for holding a substrate, cathode mechanisms for supporting targets respectively so that the targets can be opposed to the substrate in the vacuum chamber, and shutters movable forward and backward individually between the targets made of different materials and the substrate to block or pass film-forming particles generated from the targets. At least one of the shutters is formed of a target material different from those for the targets so that the at least one of the shutters is configured as a shutter that also functions as a target.

Abstract: An exposure apparatus includes (A) an illumination optical system that illuminates a reticle with illumination light from a light source, and (B) a projection optical system that includes a reflective optical element and projects a pattern of the reticle onto a member to be processed to expose the member. The reflective optical element includes (a) a base member, and (b) a dielectric multilayer film laminated on the base member.

Abstract: An optical element includes a substrate that transmits a light having a central wavelength in a wave range between 150 nm and 250 nm, and an n-layer antireflection film that is formed on the substrate, and includes, from the substrate, an n?2-th layer made of a high refractive index material, an n?1-th layer made of an amorphous material containing AlF3, and an n-th layer made of a low refractive index material, each of the high and low refractive index materials containing a crystalline material.

Abstract: A reflective optical element for a projection optical system includes a base member and a dielectric multilayer film laminated thereon. The multilayer film includes, in an order from a base member side, a first multilayer group constituted by laminating at least four dielectric material layers including at least two dielectric material layers having different refractive indices from each other and has a first period length equivalent in optical film thickness, and a second multilayer group constituted by laminating at least four dielectric material layers including at least two dielectric material layers having different refractive indices from each other and has a second period length equivalent in optical film thickness longer than the first period length. The element has a superior abrasion resistance, a high reflectivity, and a small fluctuation in characteristic of a phase difference between the reflected S- and P-polarized light components depending on the wavelength.

Abstract: An optical element includes a substrate that transmits a light having a central wavelength in a wave range between 150 nm and 250 nm, and an n-layer antireflection film that is formed on the substrate, and includes, from the substrate, an n?2-th layer made of a high refractive index material, an n?1-th layer made of an amorphous material containing AlF3, and an n-th layer made of a low refractive index material, each of the high and low refractive index materials containing a crystalline material.

Abstract: In an electrostatic acceleration type ink jet recording apparatus, when a voltage is preliminarily applied to ink to adjust the width of ink raises, a dedicated drive circuit has been necessary or dedicated electrodes have been necessary for forming the ink raises. According to a recording apparatus of the present invention, machining such as chamfering or steps is provided to a support body having a slit-like opening portion or, alternatively, a surface treatment such as coating an oil repellent solvent to a portion to be machined. Due to such a constitution, the width of the ink raises in the lateral direction of the opening portions can be made constant without using a method such as an electric driving so that a stable printing of dots is ensured.

Abstract: There is provided a recording apparatus capable of outputting an image which is not provided with nonuniformity of printing, stable and provided with high quality by realizing a recording head for maintaining a shape of a meniscus of ink always in a proper state without carrying out highly accurate back pressure control. Hence, a shape of front ends of base plates forming a slit-like opening portion is constituted by a shape of a wedge directing a sharpened front portion thereof to a recorded medium. Further, an inclined face portion in the shape of the wedge is subjected to a water repellant or an oil repellant processing. Or, there is constructed a constitution of providing an ink discharge mechanism for discharging extra ink at an end face portion at outside of a printing area of the base plate constituting the slit-like opening portion.

Abstract: There is provided a recording apparatus capable of outputting an image which is not provided with nonuniformity of printing, stable and provided with high quality by realizing a recording head for maintaining a shape of a meniscus of ink always in a proper state without carrying out highly accurate back pressure control. Hence, a shape of front ends of base plates forming a slit-like opening portion is constituted by a shape of a wedge directing a sharpened front portion thereof to a recorded medium. Further, an inclined face portion in the shape of the wedge is subjected to a water repellant or an oil repellant processing. Or, there is constructed a constitution of providing an ink discharge mechanism for discharging extra ink at an end face portion at outside of a printing area of the base plate constituting the slit-like opening portion.

Abstract: A recording unit has an illuminating device for projecting light on an original to form an original image, and an optical device which focuses the original image formed by the illuminating device. A light control plate has a slit for allowing a portion of the original image focused by the optical device to pass through. The light which passes through the slit of the light control plate is guided onto a print head which ejects ink on a recording medium when exposed to the light.